words: JESS RAYNER
In modern society, the use of digital media has become a major means of capturing the diversity of everyday life. And with photography having grown into such an accessible medium for depicting social, political and economic issues, it has become all the more relevant to our daily lives.
Diffusion, Cardiff’s first International Festival Of Photography – which has been taking place throughout May and continues for a little while longer in some locations throughout Cardiff and indeed South Wales – explores the notion of photography as a vehicle for illustrating modern life, and one of the stand-out exhibitions in this vein is European Chronicles at The Cardiff Story, which depicts “a vision of contemporary Europe as experienced through photographic work” and displays a dynamic selection of Europe’s best photographic talents.
The diverse range of pieces examines a unique section of everyday life, exploring the relationship between culture and society. Each photographer gives a personal snapshot of Europe, from Tinar Carr’s positive representation of Traveller communities to Anna Kurpaska’s return to her Polish ancestral home. Most striking from the display is German-born Catrine Val’s series of photographs entitled Feminist. The theme of feminism is an ever-contested aspect of modern life, and in Val’s pieces she plays with stereotypes juxtaposing femininity in the form of overly styled woman against distinctively male backdrops. Val’s work is an example of how photography can be manipulated for political gain, as photographs such as Concetta picturing a lone woman surrounded by cavemen, portray the archaic nature of women being defined by domesticity. Other highlights include Welsh photographer David Barnes’ King Tide that aims to capture the blurred sense of urban existence through naturalistic compositions. The exhibition is a compelling portrayal of the current condition of humanity, contrasting traditional European culture with the growing influence of modernity.
Admission: free. Info: www.diffusionfestival.org